Will Hill emerged as a cautionary tale of the social media age last year when a series of lewd tweets by the former University of Florida safety went viral.

The Twitter account -- since terminated -- showed Hill at his worst and contributed to all 32 NFL teams turning their backs on him in the 2011 draft.

The New York Giants signed Hill in May, making him the latest redemption project brought in during the reign of general manager Jerry Reese.

"I saw my name on the jersey and almost cried," Hill told Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger. "I just sat back, talked to my father and he was like, 'Don't waste it. Do what you need to do.' And thatâs what Iâve been doing."

Hill says he's changed his ways. The Giants are sure to have a short leash with him.

"Well, I don't know if he's telling the truth. But I do know he's felt the sting of not being on an NFL roster when he probably should be on one, as talented as he is," Reese said. "The sting of not having that and having to sit out and not being able to play, I think that helps you get your priorities straight."

Mario Manningham and Ahmad Bradshaw are two examples of players with a checkered past who have flourished for the Giants. Hill was one of the nation's top recruits before committing to Florida. It's his more his potential -- and less his claims of a personal epiphany -- that has given him this second shot at the NFL.